BMW presented a pair of wild-looking electric cars the i3 urban runabout and the i8 sports coupeas well as its new 1-Series five-door that would be a smash hit in Canada.BMW's second generation 1 Series will be a 2012 model in Europe and continue to be the only rear-wheeldrive model in the classwill appeal to younger buyers looking for BMW's premium materials and feel.All engines in the 1 Series are now turbocharged with BMW's TwinPower turboA slate of engine choices that would make fuel-conscious Canadians drool include two dieselsone with 184 horsepower in the120d, and the other with 143 horsepower in the 118dTwo gasolineversionsare available, a 170 hp four cylinder in the 118i, and 136 hp in the 116i. For this country, the 120d and 118i seem a natural fitMore interesting are BMW's eDrive concepts, the i8 and i3The i8 uses an electric drivetrain and threecylinder TwinPower turbogasoline engine to pull zero to 100 km/h times under five seconds, yet uses no more than 3.0L/100km. Thank the i8's mostly carbon fibre and aluminum shell and aerodynamics for that, but also the sheer torque from the front-mount-ed electric motor. The gas engine drives the rear wheels for a perfect 50/50 weigh distribution, but also allowing all-wheel drive when both engines are working.The i3, meanwhile, is meant for urban commutes, using a liquidcooled lithium-ion battery that spans the undercarriage, supplying up to 170 horsepower to an electric motor mounted over the rear axle to allow for rear-wheel drive.
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